The American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification is a prestigious credential that signifies a high level of professional competence in the field of urban planning. It is a coveted designation sought by many aspiring planners who aim to establish themselves as experts in their chosen profession. However, the journey to obtaining the AICP certification involves rigorous preparation and a challenging examination.
In this blog post, we will explore the complexity of the AICP exam and the factors contributing to its perceived difficulty. By understanding the nature of the exam, the knowledge and skills required, and the effective preparation strategies, you can make informed decisions about your AICP certification journey.
Understanding the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Exam
The AICP Certification Examination evaluates a planner’s ability to meet the education and experience standards required for AICP certification, including critical thinking, problem anticipation, and mitigation. It ensures that all AICP-certified planners possess fundamental knowledge of core elements and competencies essential to the profession.
Developed by AICP members who are active practitioners or educators, the exam is aligned with current planning practices, emerging issues, trends, and best practices. It acknowledges the interdisciplinary nature of planning, where planners often serve as facilitators within communities and collaborate with experts from various fields.
The exam also underscores the planner’s duty to promote social justice and integrate equity principles into planning, addressing historical challenges to racial and social equity. The AICP Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct, a cornerstone of the profession, is integral to the exam, which focuses on planning practices across the United States rather than in any specific region.
The exam consists of 170 multiple-choice questions, with 150 being scored and 20 used for future tests. Candidates may take the exam multiple times, but only once per cycle. It is administered in a computer-based format at over 300 Prometric test centers across the U.S., Canada, and internationally. The exam features scenario-based questions, where each scenario is associated with 3 to 5 related questions. Remote testing from home is also available at no extra cost. The exam is offered twice a year, in May and November, and must be completed within 3.5 hours.
Exam Eligibility Criteria
The One Path to AICP Certification provides APA members with a simplified, three-step process to achieve the American Institute of Certified Planners certification, open to planners at any stage of their careers, including students.
Step 1: Register for the certification program when ready and schedule your exam.
Step 2: Take the exam and earn the AICP Candidate designation upon passing.
Step 3: Use your education, work experience, and professional background to fulfill the AICP professional planning practice requirements and obtain AICP Certification.
| Education | Required Years of Professional Planning Experience |
|---|---|
| Graduate degree (Master’s or Doctoral) in planning from a PAB-accredited program | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s degree in planning from a PAB-accredited program | 3 years |
| Graduate degree in planning from a non-PAB-accredited program | 3 years |
| Any other graduate or undergraduate degree (including Associate degree) | 4 years |
| No college degree/no degree information provided | 8 years |
Factors Affecting AICP Exam Difficulty
The AICP exam is considered a challenging test for several reasons. Understanding these factors can help you anticipate the difficulties you may encounter and develop effective strategies for your preparation.
– Subject Matter:
- The breadth of Knowledge: The AICP exam covers a wide range of planning topics, including land use planning, transportation planning, environmental planning, economic development, and community development. This breadth can make it difficult for candidates to achieve a deep understanding of all the relevant material.
- Interconnectedness of Topics: Many planning concepts are interconnected, meaning that understanding one topic often requires knowledge of others. For example, transportation planning is closely related to land use planning, and environmental planning is influenced by both land use and transportation decisions. This interconnectedness can make it challenging to isolate specific areas of study and focus on them in isolation.
- Evolving Field: The field of planning is constantly evolving, with new trends, technologies, and regulations emerging regularly. This means that candidates must stay up-to-date with the latest developments in the field in order to be successful on the exam.
– Individual Background and Experience
- Level of education and planning degree: Planners with advanced degrees or specialized planning certifications may find the exam less challenging due to their in-depth knowledge of planning concepts.
- Years of professional experience: Planners with extensive experience in the field are likely to have encountered many of the topics covered in the exam and may find it easier to apply their knowledge to the questions.
- Familiarity with planning concepts and theories: A strong understanding of planning theories, principles, and best practices can significantly improve performance on the exam.
– Complexity of Questions:
- Analytical Thinking: The AICP exam often includes questions that require candidates to analyze complex planning scenarios, evaluate alternative solutions, and apply planning principles to real-world problems. These questions may involve multiple steps and require a deep understanding of the underlying concepts.
- Critical Thinking: In addition to analytical thinking, the AICP exam also tests candidates’ critical thinking skills. This includes the ability to identify assumptions, evaluate evidence, and draw logical conclusions.
- Case Studies: Many of the questions on the AICP exam are based on case studies, which present real-world planning challenges. These case studies often require candidates to apply multiple planning concepts and consider a variety of factors in order to arrive at a solution.
- Applying planning principles to real-world scenarios: Case studies test your ability to apply planning principles to real-world situations. Analyze the case carefully, identify key issues, and propose appropriate solutions based on your knowledge and understanding of planning concepts.
- Identifying key issues and proposing solutions: Be able to identify the most critical issues in a case study and propose practical and feasible solutions. Consider the potential impacts of your solutions and evaluate their effectiveness.
– Time Constraints:
- Limited Time: The AICP exam is timed, which can add to the stress and pressure of the test. Candidates must manage their time effectively to ensure that they have enough time to answer all of the questions and avoid rushing through the exam.
- Difficulty of Questions: The difficulty of the questions can also impact the amount of time required to answer them. More complex questions may take longer to answer, which can reduce the amount of time available for other questions.
- Test-Taking Strategies: Effective test-taking strategies can help candidates manage their time more efficiently. This includes pacing themselves throughout the exam, skipping difficult questions and returning to them later, and using time management techniques such as the “guess and check” method.
How to deal with the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) exam difficulty?
The best way to remove the exam difficulty and pass the exam is to have effective preparation for the AICP exam success. By following these strategies and tips, you can increase your chances of passing the exam and achieving your goal of becoming a certified planner.
Step 1: Develop a Study Plan
Create a study plan that outlines the topics you need to cover, the resources you will use, and the amount of time you will dedicate to studying each week. The AICP Certification Exam is designed for a national audience, covering a broad spectrum of planning topics. Focus your study plan on planning knowledge, principles, and practices that apply nationwide, rather than those specific to a particular region, state, or locality.
Familiarize yourself with the exam content outline to grasp the scope of the AICP Certification Exam. The percentages listed for each major exam topic reflect the approximate number of questions on that topic in the exam. Adjust your study efforts to align with these percentages. However, the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) exam covers nine major topics, each with several categories. While all topics are represented in the exam, not every sub-area may be included. The percentage next to each topic area indicates its weight in the exam. Key topic areas include:
- Research and Assessment Methods (11%): Focuses on research, data interpretation, and community engagement.
- Fundamental Planning Knowledge (15%): Covers planning history, legal principles, and core values.
- Communication and Interaction (13%): Emphasizes communication strategies, social justice, and leadership.
- Plan and Policy Development (15%): Involves policy creation, stakeholder inclusion, and best practices.
- Plan Implementation (12%): Covers plan execution, strategic partnerships, and monitoring progress.
- Administration and Management (6%): Focuses on project management, organizational leadership, and staff development.
- Leadership (6%): Involves ethical leadership, public interest advocacy, and professional development.
- Areas of Practice (12%): Covers specialized planning areas like urban design, economic development, and environmental planning.
- AICP Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct (10%): Focuses on ethical responsibilities to the public, clients, and the profession.
Pro Tip: Don’t let the content outline overwhelm you. Identify your strong and weak areas, and use the outline to target your studies effectively. Due to the extensive range of topics covered, it’s advisable to study for several months.
Step 2: Understand the AICP Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct
The AICP Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct has three main purposes: defining aspirational principles for all involved in the planning process, setting rules of practice and behavior for AICP members, and outlining enforcement procedures. The primary obligation for planners is to serve the public interest by upholding high standards of integrity, proficiency, and knowledge. The aspirational principles guide the profession’s values, while the enforceable rules ensure accountability. All participants in planning should make ethical decisions that balance competing interests, informed by open debate and careful consideration of the facts.
Step 3: Connect with the Chapter/Section Professional Development Officer
The Chapter Professional Development Officer is an invaluable resource, whether you’re looking for guidance on preparing for the AICP Certification Exam or hoping to connect with others who are studying. They are your go-to local expert and may also be aware of study groups in your vicinity.
Step 4: Utilize APA Study Resources
APA provides Exam Prep Videos covering the nine major exam topic areas and their various subcategories. In addition, APA chapters offer Exam Prep Materials, and many Professional Development Officers (PDOs) provide extra study resources, often free for chapter members. The depth of these materials varies, with some chapters offering comprehensive multi-session prep courses. Some resources are available online, which can be especially helpful if you need to strengthen specific exam areas.
- Selected Resources: AICP Certification Exam
- Chapter Presidents Council Exam Prep History Timeline
- AICP Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct
- Planning and Law Division Foundational Land Use Law Cases
- APA Policy Guides
- PAS Reports
- Planning magazine
- American Planning History Since 1900
Step 5: Take Practice Tests
Beyond learning the concepts and facts, it’s crucial to become comfortable with the testing experience. Practice exams will help you get accustomed to the structure and flow of the questions and highlight areas where you may need further study. Practice with sample exam questions to get familiar with the format of the exam and to identify areas where you may need to improve your knowledge. However, avoid relying solely on practice questions for the knowledge needed to pass the exam. Remember that questions from non-APA sources may not accurately reflect the actual exam’s format.
Additional Tips for American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Exam:
- Stay Organized: Use a planner or calendar to keep track of your study schedule and deadlines.
- Take Breaks: Avoid burnout by taking regular breaks during your study sessions.
- Get Enough Sleep: Ensure that you are getting enough sleep to stay focused and alert during your studies.
- Manage Stress: Practice stress management techniques, such as meditation or deep breathing, to help you stay calm and focused.
- Believe in Yourself: Have confidence in your abilities and stay positive throughout your preparation.
Conclusion
The AICP exam is a challenging test that requires a significant amount of preparation and dedication. By understanding the factors that contribute to its difficulty, developing effective study strategies, and staying focused on your goals, you can increase your chances of success. Remember that the AICP certification is a valuable credential that can open doors to new opportunities and advance your career in the planning field. With perseverance and the right approach, you can achieve your goal of becoming a certified planner.
FAQs: American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Exam
Below are some of the frequently asked questions related to the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Exam.
1. What is AICP certification?
AICP (American Institute of Certified Planners) is a professional certification for urban planners in the United States. It recognizes individuals who have demonstrated a high level of knowledge, skills, and experience in the field of planning. Certified planners adhere to a code of ethics and are committed to professional development.
2. How to get AICP certification?
To obtain AICP certification, you typically need:
- Education: A bachelor’s degree in planning or a related field.
- Experience: At least five years of professional planning experience, including two years under a certified planner.
- Examination: Passing the AICP Exam, which covers various planning topics.
- Ethics: Adhering to the AICP Code of Ethics.
Check the above sections for more detailed information.
3. How long to study for the AICP exam?
The time required to study for the AICP exam varies greatly depending on individual factors such as:
- Background knowledge: How much planning experience and education you have.
- Study habits: Your ability to focus, retain information, and practice effectively.
- Exam preparation materials: The quality and effectiveness of your study resources.
Many candidates report studying for several months to adequately prepare. It’s important to start early and allocate sufficient time for study.
4. How hard is the AICP exam?
The AICP exam is considered challenging. It requires a deep understanding of planning principles, theories, and practices. The exam covers a wide range of topics, and the questions are often thought-provoking and require critical thinking skills.
